Dutch schooner

The Oosterschelde registered in Rotterdam is in Plymouth for the start of their two year voyage following the steps of Charles Darwin and they were allowing visitors today so we embarked to have a look round. There are six crew, the captain and first officer who sleep in cabins at the stern of the boat and there are two cabins with bunks near the prow. There are 32 legs of the journey and on each leg they have guests who pay anything from £800 up to £8,200 for the long leg between Stanley and Cape Town. There is a well equipped galley and a dining room with library and a lounge with a tv! Speaking to a couple of the crew we discovered that the original boat was built in 1918 as a sailing cargo vessel but was then repurposed for engine and passengers. About 800 were built, most of which have long since gone! It has been renovated as a sailing vessel and they will be leaving on Tuesday on their voyage! The crew do six hours on, six hours off throughout the voyage and guests can help out doing four hour stints at night and six hour stints during the day!

Extras: view from the quay, view towards the prow from the deck, view of the prow from the quay.

After the visit to the ship we walked back across the Hoe stopping for cream tea on the way! Some of the best scones that I have ever had.